The Blazar BL Lac has been bright for some time now, and various reports have appeared on ATel to this effect (see here for an example). I have a 29 year light curve, and last night (Aug 6) I had it at visual 11.9, the brightest I’ve ever seen it.
A further look at the AAVSO light curve (back to 1970) reveals that this current period of activity is an historic high state, and the brightest it’s ever been recorded. Remarkable when you stop and think what this object really is.
The BAAVSS will happily take your observations.
Gary